Two title matches, plus "an important announcement" from AEW owner Tony Khan will take place on tonight's Dynamite.
Orange Cassidy will defend the International Championship against Blackpool Combat Club's Claudio Castagnoli following up on last week's Dynamite main event featuring Cassidy & Kazuchika Okada against Castagnoli & Bryan Danielson.
Women's World Champion Hikaru Shida will defend her title against Willow Nightingale. Shida is coming off a title defense against Abadon in a Fright Night Fight on Saturday's Collision episode.
World Champion MJF & three mystery partners will face Bullet Club Gold's Jay White, Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn & Colten Gunn in an eight-man tag team match.
Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho will team up once again as they face former Jericho Appreciation Society members "Daddy Magic" Matt Menard & "Cool Hand Ang" Angelo Parker.
AEW CEO, owner, president, and head of creative Tony Khan has promised an important announcement on tonight's episode as the holiday season approaches.
The show begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with recaps from last week’s Dynamite & Collision main events before we go backstage to Renee Paquette standing by with MJF. Paquette asks about MJF finding three partners tonight despite having many enemies. MJF made a list of the AEW roster and wants to find three people who aren’t A-holes. MJF then throws it to the screen where Adam Cole is there at home, congratulating MJF on being the longest reigning AEW Champion and says he should entertain Samoa Joe’s offer to help him out. MJF left to find partners while Roderick Strong & The Kingdom rolled and walked in, saying it was rude of Max to walk off mid conversation. Strong asked if Cole agreed that MJF was The Devil, but Cole cut his feed off before he could answer. The screen quickly cut to The Devil before going to the opening video package. Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as we go right to our first title match of the evening.
Orange Cassidy defeated Claudio Castagnoli to retain the AEW International Title
(This was the exact match you’d expect from these two, as Castagnoli showed off his superior strength, while Cassidy sold like crazy with glimpses of hope throughout. Finally, Cassidy was able to find a way to survive in a really great looking finish. Cassidy is hell bent on one thing during this reign as champion, that’s beating Jon Moxley. I have to wonder, HOOK put his hands on an official and we’re questioning suspension, while Moxley & Castagnoli just beat up security guards post match and that was fine.)
Cassidy tried a quick cazadora, but Castagnoli just used his power to slam Cassidy to the mat, using his size and strength early on. Cassidy floated over in the corner and tried a high cross body, but Castagnoli caught him into a tilt a whirl back breaker into a gut buster. Cassidy started playing mind games by constantly rolling to the floor away from Castagnoli, who grew angry, only to be posted by Cassidy. After a successful first dive, Castagnoli caught Cassidy’s second try and hit a press slam onto the railing. Wheeler Yuta & HOOK, who I didn’t even see out there to begin with, got too close to the action and referee Bryce ejected them both. Back inside, Cassidy briefly escaped a superplex, but Castagnoli literally just pulled Cassidy up by his head back in position and hit a stalling superplex into commercial break.
It was all Castagnoli during commercial as we see that HOOK & Wheeler Yuta had to be separated backstage, with HOOK shoving AEW official Pat Buck and Excalibur said this got HOOK ejected from the building and perhaps something more severe, like a suspension.
Back to the ring, Cassidy managed to hit his diving DDT to the floor, but his injured back did damage to himself as well. In the ring, Cassidy hit the Stundog Millionaire, but Castagnoli fought back with a Giant Swing and Sharpshooter, but Cassidy shifted his weight to escape, so Castagnoli transitioned into a cross face and Rings of Saturn. Cassidy rolled into a pin attempt for two, but Castagnoli clobbered him with an uppercut into the anvil elbows. Castagnoli wanted the Neutralizer, but Cassidy crumbled, as it was a ruse, trying another Stundog, but this time Castagnoli countered into a sleeper with a Giant Swing. Cassidy faded, but put his hands in his pockets and nearly got a pin out the corner. Orange Punch and Beach Break connected, but Castagnoli wisely rolled outside, beating the count at nine.
Little kicks from Cassidy ramp up as they continue into a PK. Cassidy missed an Orange Punch, but Castagnoli missed a Rainmaker, allowing Cassidy to hit a multi revolution Tornado DDT. Castagnoli nearly hit a pop up uppercut, but Cassidy stood on the chest and turned it into a hurricanrana pin with his hands in the pocket for the flash pin.
Cassidy got about 10 seconds to celebrate before Jon Moxley’s music hit and he came out from the crowd, joining Castagnoli in the ring. Cassidy hit the ring and tried to brawl with Moxley, who beat him down. Security guards hit the ring, but promptly got beaten up by Moxley & Castagnoli. Finally, Castagnoli had to pull Moxley off Cassidy and Moxley just stormed to the back.
-MJF is backstage and knocks on Kenny Omega’s dressing room, but Chris Jericho answers, smiles and slams the door. MJF goes to walk away, when Wardlow appears and chokes MJF against the wall saying MJF took everything from him, so he’ll take everything from MJF when he least expects it. Wardlow leaves as MJF slams down his clipboard and goes to walk off when The Acclaimed appear from around the corner and offer a scissor, but MJF storms off.
**********
-Jon Moxley is backstage talking about how Fenix kamikazied himself, injures Moxley and Orange Cassidy is there to pick up the pieces? Moxley showed Cassidy respect when no one else would, but like everyone else, Cassidy wrote off Moxley. Maybe this is about something else and Cassidy is just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but at Full Gear, he’s going to win his title back and beat Cassidy within an inch of his life.
Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) defeated Hangman Adam Page & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) to win the ROH Six Man Tag Titles
(This was a pretty quick match, with the storyline of Page & Strickland playing the biggest role, leaving The Bucks outnumbered and cost them as a result. The post match meltdown by Matt Jackson is an interesting development.)
Page was relentless on his attack on all the Embassy members early, as he has revenge on his mind following Swerve Strickland’s home invasion last week. The Bucks made the save when numbers became too much and hit a trifecta of slingshot dives on the floor. Back inside, Kaun was backed up into the corner and suffered locomotion charging strikes before Nick hit an assisted Swanton off the top, crushing Kaun into picture in picture.
The Embassy controlled during break, but Page made a comeback right when things returned, running wild on everyone. Right as Page was looking for a Buckshot, we hear Swerve Strickland on the stage with Prince Nana asking “Whose House?” and said last week, he was at Page’s house. Page tagged in Nick and sprinted after Strickland & Nana, as The Bucks are left in a handicap match, with Cage hitting a suplex from the apron in. The numbers were too much for Matt, who was flattened with a double spinebuster by Kaun & Liona. Nick was dropped with an assisted triple powerbomb and double face buster, as Kaun pinned Nick to regain the titles.
Backstage we see Page & Strickland brawling and had to be separated by a ton of security as we go back to the ring where The Bucks are left alone. Matt Jackson snaps and tears apart the ringside table, slamming a chair against the ring post before we go to break. This reminded me of when Chris Jericho started turning heel in WCW; thank goodness David Penzer wasn’t ringside tonight.
**********
-MJF is walking backstage again and comes to Samoa Joe’s dressing room, but passes, approaching Darby Allin’s dressing room (how many dressing room’s do AEW talent have?), but uses a sharpie to write Emo Bitch on the sign. MJF laughs and walks away when The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass have a sign saying Pick Us, which MJF ignores.
-The Rated R Superstar Adam Copeland is announced to the ring by Tony Schiavone, who Excalibur called The Rated PG-13 Superstar. Copeland put over Schiavone, which got a Tony chant, something that hilariously repulsed Taz. Copeland said last week, Sting, someone he respects massively, got in his face, with Darby Allin, the future of AEW. Before Copeland could give his answer to being their partner at Full Gear, Christian Cage, Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne interrupted.
Cage is going to retire Sting at Full Gear whether he likes it or not. We haven’t seen Allin around a lot lately since Cage dumped him on his arm at Wrestle Dream. Cage brought up Copeland’s neck problems and said if Copeland accepts the match, Cage would snap his neck, leaving his kids wipe the drool from his face as a former somebody. Cage told Luchasaurus & Wayne to give him a preview, as they hit the ring and Copeland got the upper hand, but when coming face to face with Cage, Copeland couldn’t pull the trigger. This allowed Luchasaurus to hit a lariat to the back of the neck and Wayne to hit Wayne’s World. Cage was about to give a Con-Chair-To when Sting made the save and wasted Wayne on the stage. Allin sprinted to the ring and beat down Cage as Luchasaurus was dropped by Copeland. Cage turned the tide on Allin, but turned around into a Spear by Copeland, who officially accepted being Allin & Sting’s partner for Full Gear.
-Nigel McGuinness is backstage with Tony Khan, who said his big announcement was following the success of All In, setting the all time indoor attendance record, next year’s show will be August 25th and tickets will go on sale one month from today, December 1st. Khan said you don’t have to wait until then, as McGuinness said if you want early access to tickets, you can go to Ticketmaster.co.uk/AEWWEMBLEY2024 to signup. I'm not sure this would qualify as a "big" announcement.
Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho defeated Matt Menard & Angelo Parker (w/Jake Hager)
(A quick win for The Golden Jets, with the most notable thing being Menard & Parker’s willingness to try and use the baseball bat to win by any means necessary, something that had to impress Don Callis. The post match was the bigger story, literally, as Jericho & Omega not only have backup in Kota Ibushi, but also Paul Wight. I never thought I’d write that sentence in my life.)
The Don Callis Family, with new member Kyle Fletcher, joined commentary for the match, as Menard & Parker bark at Jericho right away, saying Jericho didn’t know what he had in them and attacked. Jericho fought back and tagged Omega as they hit a double suplex and shoulder tackle into commercial break. Menard & Parker got the upper hand during picture in picture, but Omega made the hot tag to Jericho when things returned and he ran wild before Parker was locked in the Lion Tamer. Menard tried to cut it off, but suffered a springboard dropkick as a result. Omega connected on a Snap Dragon, as Hager jumped on the apron, but ate a V-Trigger and Omega dive for his troubles. With referee Aubrey’s attention turned, Menard clocked Jericho with the baseball bat, but Parker only got two. Menard wanted Parker to use the bat, but a slight delay, allowed Jericho to duck the shot and hit a Judas Effect for the win.
Post match, Callis and Family walked to the stage, saying he has to give Jericho & Omega credit for being cockroaches, hard to get rid of following Takeshita & Hobbs destroying both of them. Maybe this doesn’t get finished in a ring, but instead, on the streets. Callis challenges Jericho & Omega to a Street Fight in two weeks on Dynamite, calling them dummies. Omega said none of this was about winning matches, accepts the challenge, but makes it a 6 man street fight, saying Kota Ibushi will be by their side. Callis said they are still down a man, so Jericho brings up his friend who is bigger than Powerhouse Hobbs, as Hobbs isn’t a giant. Paul Wight walks out from backstage, in his gear and KO’s Kyle Fletcher with a punch as the rest of Callis’ Family retreats.
**********
-Renee Paquette is backstage in Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho’s dressing room, as Jericho was about to talk about the upcoming match we just learned about when Matt Jackson cut them off. Matt said he didn’t want to get overdramatic, as there’s been enough of that in their in the past, but asks what was the point of The Elite getting back together, when they don’t have each others’ backs? Matt said his biggest problem was who invited this prick Jericho into their locker room? Matt said he never forgot what Jericho did to The Bucks’ father years ago and said Jericho will screw Omega over just like Don Callis did.
Hikaru Shida defeated Willow Nightingale to retain the AEW Women’s Title
After some early signs of respect, Nightingale showed off her power with a shoulder tackle and low cross body for two. Shida fought back with a running knee in the corner, but was caught by Nightingale, who tried a standing switch, but was sent to the floor, where Shida met her with a diving cross body into commercial.
Shida got a two count off a suplex back from break, followed by a charging corner boot. Nightingale hit a cartwheel off a whip attempt; hit an enzugiri and high boot of her own. Nightingale connected on a perfect spinebuster, but both ladies started a slugfest with elbow strikes, something Nightingale won. Both traded dropkicks off the second rope, leading into a double down. Shida was cut off in the corner, as Nightingale wanted an Avalanche DVD, but Shida turned the tide and hit an Avalanche Falcon Arrow, but Nightingale exploded out at one.
After trading hard strikes, Nightingale connected on the Pounce and Death Valley Driver for a close near fall. Nightingale wanted a Doctor Bomb, but Shida turned it into a hurricanrana. Nightingale swung for the fences with a lariat, as Shida turned the pin into one of her own for two and hit a knee strike before nailing the Kitana for the victory.
Post match, Shida & Nightingale shook hands until Timeless Toni Storm made her entrance with the butler, Luther, who tried to present Shida with a shoe. Shida smacked it away and decked Storm with a running knee. Back in the ring, the lights went out and Julia Hart appeared behind Nightingale, offering a handshake, as Nightingale knew what was about to happen. Skye Blue ran to the ring and looked like she was about to turn on Nightingale when she misted Hart instead with blue mist. Hart bailed, furious, as the crowd didn’t react that much to Blue misting Hart, I think they were expecting Hart to turn heel.
-MJF is once again approached by The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass backstage, as Caster said it looks like they are all he has left and says to wear the gear they provided in a trash bag. MJF looked in the bag and refused, saying he had one option left, as he turns to Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh and Jeff & Karen Jarrett. MJF gives a look to them and back to the trash bag to end the segment.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Roderick Strong & The Kingdom, as Strong calls Adam Cole and was insulted MJF never even asked them for help. Cole said for Strong to shut the hell up and hung up.
**********
Bullet Club Gold (Switchblade Jay White, Juice Robinson, Austin & Colten Gunn) defeated MJF, Daddy Ass & The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens)
(This was your standard multi man match, with the heels controlling a majority until the main babyface ran wild, with the numbers ultimately proving too much. White & MJF never touched until the finish and I’m surprised MJF took the pin, but this gives White more bragging rights heading into their PPV main event. Post match, the fans (and Caster mainly) got what they wanted and we got our quadruple scissor.)
MJF was decked head to toe with pink, including matching scarf, as he refused to high five Caster before the bell. The crowd chanted Happy Birthday to Daddy Ass, who is 60 years old today. MJF charged at White, who cowered in the corner, as it was Robinson & Bowens who started things off, but Daddy Ass & Austin made tags and father & son squared off. Austin tripped up his father and hit a little Shake, Rattle and Roll until Daddy Ass decked both of his sons and told all Bullet Club Gold to suck it. White made the tag and tried a chop battle with Daddy Ass, as White was chopped to the floor where BC Gold regrouped. The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass wanted MJF to scissor before commercial, but he refused once again.
BC Gold isolated Bowens during picture in picture until Colten missed a corner splash, as Bowens tagged and scissored Daddy Ass before hitting Scissor Me Timbers. MJF was about to join in the scissoring fun when The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass were pulled to the outside. Caster was picked apart until finally Bowens & Daddy Ass had enough and for some reason referee Bryce just held back MJF from joining in, so the numbers game were too much again.
Finally, Caster leapt for the MJF hot tag, as White ran for his life, as MJF was a house of fire on Robinson & The Gunns. The chase was on between MJF & White, as Austin & Colten tripped up MJF and tried for 3:10 to Yuma, which MJF fought out of with a DDT followed by a Kangaroo Kick. White snuck in from behind, hit a Blade Runner and pinned MJF clean or as clean as you’d call that.
Post match, The Gunns & Robinson brawled with The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass, leaving White alone, holding the title, waiting for MJF to get up. White charged and Caster took the bullet and title shot, as Bullet Club Gold bailed. MJF stared them down, as Daddy Ass & Bowens checked on Caster, who slowly raised his hand for a scissor. Daddy Ass screamed as MJF to scissor after everything they’ve done for Max, as we got our four way scissoring to end the show.
AEW Rampage 11/3/23
· El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Penta el Zero Miedo vs. Komander
· The Gunns vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
· Marina Shafir vs. Skye Blue
· Trent Beretta vs. Daniel Garcia
AEW Collision 11/4/23
· Darby Allin vs. Lance Archer
· Swerve Strickland vs. AR Fox
· The Acclaimed 69 Days Title Celebration
Click Here: Tottenham Hotspur Jersey Sale